OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the response rate, in terms of WHO objectives and clinical benefit, in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic or biliary adenocarcinoma treated with gemcitabine, leucovorin calcium, and fluorouracil. II. Determine the tolerance of this regimen in this patient population. III. Determine the survival without disease progression in patients treated with this regimen. IV. Determine the overall survival in patients treated with this regimen.